Hanging shoe compartments with movable shelves

ABSTRACT

A hanging organizer has opposing first and second flexible sides and back panel joining rectangular shelves of width W. A repositionable shelf has first and second rectangular plates with first and second edges and joined at a flexible juncture parallel to those edges. The first edge engages the first panel and the second edge engages the second panel a distance W below the first edge. The repositionable shelf has a first position where the first plate abuts the first panel with the second plate horizontal, and has a second position where the first plate is horizontal and the second plate abuts the second panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toProvisional Patent Application No. 61/771,221 filed Mar. 1, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Various Various hanging compartments are known that have two verticalfabric sides with horizontal fabric shelves at periodic locations. Ifthe sides are flat the compartments are rectangular in shape. If thesides are curved the compartments are curved to match. But in all casesthe vertical size of the compartments are determined by the shelf orbottom of the compartment which has opposing ends sewn to or otherwiseengaging opposing vertical sides to form a horizontal shelf or bottom.Because the opposing sides of the shelf are sewn to the vertical sidesupports, the vertical height of the compartments is limited. This limiton vertical height poses problems, as for example when the compartmentsare used to hold shoes. Hanging shoe holders have a series of verticallyaligned compartments with square openings in the front and a long widthor depth and a closed back. The compartments are sized to hold a pair ofshoes. But if the shoes have long high heels or if boots are to bestored, the compartments are too small to hold two shoes. Thecompartments could be made larger, with a rectangular opening, by sewingthe bottom panel further from the shelf above it to form a rectangularopening. But then space is wasted if the user wants to store regularsized shoes instead of boots or very high heels. There is thus a needfor a shoe hanger and for a hanging storage device in general, that hasvariable sized compartments to hold a variety of things.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Suspended housings having compartments of fixed vertical length aresub-divided by repositionable shelves having first and second parts andhaving two positions. In the first position the first shelf part isvertical and abutting a first side panel of the housing while the secondpart forms a horizontal shelf. In the second position the first partforms a horizontal top and the second part is vertical and abutting asecond opposing side panel of the housing, with the horizontal toppreferably abutting a bottom side of the next higher compartment or thetop panel of the housing.

In more detail, a series of hanging or suspended compartments areprovided and since these compartments are suspended the relative termsvertical, horizontal, up and down will be used to describe these devicesrelative to the position they typically assume when hanging downwardfrom a closet bar, with a user looking at the front, open side of thesuspended compartments. Thus, a flexible, suspended housing is formedhaving first and second (left and right) side panels that are parallel,and a back panel. The side panels and back panel depend from a top panelto which is fastened a hanging mechanism such as a hook, loop, or a pairof fastening members sized to encircle a closet bar, such as fabricstraps with hook-and-loop fasteners on the mating strap ends. The toppanel is preferably rectangular in shape is made of a stiff materialstrong enough to support the weight placed in the compartments that aresuspended from the top panel. The side and the back panels are joinedtogether to form a rectangular enclosure open along one side, the frontside. The side and back panels may be made of flexible material, such asfabric, polymers, canvas, etc., sewn, glued, riveted or otherwisefastened or engaged together along the corners.

At periodic locations along the length of the side panels, a horizontalshelf is fastened to horizontally opposing locations on the side panelsin order to form one or more fixed shelves. The side panels are locateda predetermined distance W apart to define a constant width of thehousing. The panels have a depth D corresponding to the width of theside panels. The fixed floors are preferably located a height H from thetop panel or one of the shelves, preferably corresponding to multiplesof two times the width to form a first set of elongated compartmentshaving a height twice the width of the compartment, with the depth ofthe compartments determined by the width of the side panels. Arepositionable shelf is fastened in each of these first compartments.The repositionable shelf is formed of two (first and second) stiff,rectangular plates, preferably of plastic, having a width of about W andsewn in a pouch that may slightly compress or bow the plate so that itsnaps into a straight, flat position. Each plate has opposing first andsecond edges. A first edge of the first plate is connected to the firstside panel at the juncture with the top panel, preferably by sewing thepouches containing the panel to the first side panel. The first platehangs downward adjacent the first side panel. The second edge of thefirst plate is fastened to the first edge of the second plate,preferably by sewing the abutting edges of the pouches containing theplates. The second edge of the second plate is fastened to the secondside panel a distance W below the top panel, to form a horizontal shelf.This is the first, shelf position of the first and second panels. Inthis shelf position the juncture of the first and second plates is alongthe first side panel and the enclosure of the first plate helps carryweight on the shelf to the first side panel

The juncture of the first and second plates may be moved to the secondside panel by moving the juncture diagonally toward the juncture of thetop panel and the second side panel. In this second position the firstplate is adjacent to and preferably abutting the top panel while thesecond plate is alongside and preferably abutting the second side panel.There is thus provided a repositionable shelf having a first shelfposition, and having a second storage position. The first plate isfastened to the first panel at distances H determined by Y×W, where Y isfrom the series of even numbers beginning at zero, namely 0, 2, 4, etc.and W is the width of the space between side panels. The second plate isfastened to the second panel at distances , H determined by Z×W, where Zis from the series of odd numbers beginning at 1, namely 1, 3, 5 and Wis the width of the space between side panels. These formulas result insquare openings in the suspended housing. The permanent shelves are sewnto the first and second panels at distances H determined by Y×W,described above.

If a permanent shelf is fastened to opposing side panels to locate thesecond plate in the first shelf position at a repeating distance of 2Wfrom the top shelf, then a repositionable shelf having first and secondplates may be fastened between each permanent shelf. With therepositionable shelves each in the first shelf position, a series ofequally sized compartments with square openings are provided. Asdesired, one or more of the repositionable shelves can be moved to thesecond position to provide compartments twice as high as they are wide.

With the plates in the second position, the first plate supports thebottom of the adjacent and preferably abutting shelf. If the weight tobe placed on the shelves is not too heavy, the first plate in the secondposition can be used as a shelf itself, providing further flexibility inthe shape and number of compartments. This is not preferred as apermanent shelf is preferred to be used above the first plate in thesecond position. But if the second position is to be used with only thefirst plate acting as a shelf, it is preferably to releasably fasten thesecond plate to the second side panel of the housing, as for example, byusing snaps, hooks or hook and loop fasteners between the inside of thesecond panel and the abutting side of the pouch containing the secondplate.

A hanging organizer has opposing first and second flexible sides andback panel joining rectangular shelves of width W. A repositionableshelf has first and second rectangular plates with first and secondedges and joined at a flexible juncture parallel to those edges. Thefirst edge engages the first panel and the second edge engages thesecond panel a distance W below the first edge. The repositionable shelfhas a first position where the first plate abuts the first panel withthe second plate horizontal, and has a second position where the firstplate is horizontal and the second plate abuts the second panel.

There is thus advantageously provided a hanging collapsible containerhaving a connector to hang the container from a support. The containerhas a collapsible housing with first and second opposing side panelsjoined by back panel to form an enclosure having a rectangularcross-section. The panels are made of a flexible material and suspendedfrom a stiff top panel. The first and second panels being spaced apart adistance of about W. The container has at least one permanent shelfextending generally horizontally between the first and second panels,with the shelf having a width of about W. The container has a firstrepositionable shelf having first and second rectangular plates joinedat a flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge of thefirst plate and parallel to a second edge of the second plate. Eachplate has a width of about W. The first edge engages the first panel andthe second edge engages the second panel a distance below the first edgea distance sufficient so the first repositionable shelf has a firstposition in which the first plate extends alongside the first panel andthe second plate extends generally horizontally. The firstrepositionable shelf has a second position with the first plategenerally horizontal and the second plate extending alongside the secondpanel. As the repositionable shelf moves between these first and secondpositions it is not being permanently fastened to the back panel.

In further variations, the container may have the first edge engage thefirst panel at a location where the first panel joins the top panel,with the second edge engaging the second panel at a distance of about Wfrom the top panel. Preferably, the container has a plurality ofpermanent shelves each spaced a distance of about 2W from the top or theadjacent permanent shelf, with the first repositionable shelf having itsfirst edge engaging the first panel at a location where the first paneljoins the top panel, and with the second edge engages the second panelat a distance of about W from the top panel.

Additionally, a second repositionable shelf may be provided I thecontainer with the second repositionable shelf having second and thirdrectangular plates joined at a second flexible plate juncture that isparallel to a first edge of the second plate and parallel to a secondedge of the third plate. Each second and third plate has a width ofabout W. The second edge of the third plate engages the first panel andthe second edge of the fourth plate engages the second panel a distancebelow the first edge a distance sufficient so the second repositionableshelf has a first position in which the second plate extends alongsidethe first panel and the third plate extends generally horizontally. Thesecond repositionable shelf has a second position with the second plategenerally horizontal and the third plate extending alongside the secondpanel.

In further variations, there are a plurality of repositionable shelveseach having a first edge fastened to the first panel a distance apart ofabout 2W, and each repositionable shelf has a second edge fastened tothe second panel a distance apart of about 2W, but offset below thefirst edge a distance of about W. Preferably there are fourrepositionable shelves. Suspended housings having compartments of fixedvertical length are sub-divided by repositionable shelves having firstand second parts and having two positions. In the first position thefirst shelf part is vertical and abutting a first side panel of thehousing while the second part forms a horizontal shelf. In the secondposition the first part forms a horizontal top and the second part isvertical and abutting a second opposing side panel of the housing, withthe horizontal top preferably abutting a bottom side of the next highercompartment or the top panel of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, and other features and advantages of the present inventionare further described in the following drawings and description in whichlike numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a right side perspective view of a hanging organizer withrepositionable shelves in a first position;

FIG. 2 shows a right side perspective view of the hanging organizer ofFIG. 1 with the repositionable shelves in a second position;

FIG. 3 shows a left side perspective view of the hanging organizer ofFIG. 1 with the repositionable shelves in various positions

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a repositionable shelf in asecond position;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of arepositionable shelf in a second position;

FIG. 6 shows a back view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a side plan view of the hanging organizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a right side perspective view of a hanging organizer havingfasteners on the repositionable shelves;

FIG. 9 is a partial view showing compartments with partial barriers; and

FIG. 10 is a segmental view showing a hanger for the organizer of FIGS.1-7; and

FIG. 11 is sectional view of a the hanging organizer of FIG. 1 in afolded configuration, without a hanger and with the repositionable shelfparts shown in inclined lines;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a hanging housing 10 with plural compartment 12is shown. The relative directions up, down, upwards, downwards, above,below, upper and lower are used herein with respect to the configurationof FIGS. 1-2, in which the housing is suspended vertically, as forexample from a closet hanger bar. The hanging housing 10 is suitable forstoring shoes in the compartments 12, but other items may be placed inthe various compartments.

The housing 10 is preferably collapsible, having first and secondflexible side panels 14, 16 joined by a flexible back panel 18. Thehousing 10 has a stiff top panel 20 and an opposing bottom-most shelf 24that may be stiff or flexible. Preferably the shelves 24 are stiffshelves made of plastic sheets, fiberboard, or wood inserts enclosed infabric or plastic material. A plurality of permanent shelves 24 areinterposed between the top 20 and the bottom-most shelf 24. Thepermanent shelves 24 are preferably permanently fastened to opposingside panels 14, 16 and may be fastened to the back panel 18. Sewing,rivets, adhesives and other fastening mechanisms may be used to fastenpermanent shelves 24 to the panels 14, 16, 18. The shelves 24 areusually spaced the same distance apart to form uniformly sizedcompartments. The top panel could be formed by an open framework fromwhich the panels 14, 16, 18 depend and the use of a top “panel” hereinis meant to encompass such open frameworks and other structures thatrestrain movement in the plane of the top panel and are sufficientlystrong to support the intended weight placed on the shelves of thehousing, with the resulting forces from the intended weight beingtransferred through the panels to the top panel.

The housing is hung or suspended from top connector 28 (FIGS. 8, 10).The connector 28 may take the form of a hook or loop configured toengage a closet hanging bar. Advantageously, two strips of flexiblematerial such as fabric have hook and loop fasteners on mating surfacesand releasably connect together to form connector 28. The top panel 20is strong enough to support the weight of items placed on shelves 24 incompartments 12. The top panel is typically a sheet of plastic, wood,metal or other stiff material enclosed in fabric or other flexiblematerial, with the panels 14, 16, 18 fastened to the enclosing fabric,usually by sewing, rivets or adhesives. The panels 14, 16, 18 andshelves 24 may be made of flexible material such as fabric, canvas,plastic or other strong, flexible materials, and joined by sewing,adhesives, rivets, or other ways to form the compartments 12 in housing10. Such housings 10 thus far described are known in the art.

One or more compartments 12 may be subdivided by repositionable shelves30 having first and second plates 32, 34 respectively. The plates 32, 34are preferably of stiff plastic or thin metal, wood, fiberboard or otherstiff material that has can bend slightly. The plates may comprise asingle elongated piece of material with a flexure joint between the twoplates 32, 34, but preferably the plates are two separate parts joinedtogether at juncture 36. As used here, a reference to two plates isintended to encompass two separate parts joined together at juncture 36or a single part with a flexible juncture 36. The plates 32, 34 may beeach enclosed in a pouch of material 38 such as fabric and sewn, gluedor otherwise engaged or fastened together at juncture 36. The pouch ofmaterial 38 preferably compresses or bows each separate plate slightly.Each plate is the same size, having a width W corresponding to thespacing between side panels 14, 16, a height H corresponding to thewidth W, and a depth D corresponding to a width of the side panels 14,16. The pouch of material may be molded onto the plates 32, 34 orotherwise encase the plates. As used herein, a reference to connectingto the plates or fastening to the plates is meant to include a directconnection to the specified plate 32, 34, or a connection to the pouch38 enclosing the specified plate 32, 34. The plates 32, 34 arerectangular, with a rectangle including a square as it is merely arectangle with equal sides.

The pouch 38 enclosing the first plate 32 has a first edge 40 that isfastened to the first side panel 14 at the juncture of the side panel 14and top panel 20 or the juncture of the side panel 14 and the permanentshelf 24. The pouch 38 enclosing the second plate 34 has a second edge42 that is fastened to the second side panel 14 at a distance of W beloweither the juncture

of the side panel 14 and the top panel 20 or juncture of the side panel14 and the permanent shelf 24, whichever corresponds to the connectionof the first edge 40. The second edge of the pouch enclosing the firstplate 32 and the first edge of the pouch enclosing the second plate 34are fastened together to form juncture 36. The plates 32, 34 andenclosing pouches 38 are thus joined to the first side panel 14 alongedge 40 and joined to the second side panel 16 along edge 42, whichedges are parallel. The plates 32, 34 and the enclosing pouches 38 arenot fastened to the back panel 18.

The plates 32, 34 have a first shelf position in which the first plate32 extends along and inside of the first side panel 14 while the secondplate 34 extends horizontally between side panels 14, 16, with thejuncture 36 of the plates adjacent the first side panel 14. The plates32, 34 have a second support position in which the first plate 32 isbelow and adjacent to the top panel 20 or permanent shelf 24 to whichthe first edge 40 is fastened, while the second plate 34 is adjacent toand extending along the inside of the second side wall 16. In the firstposition the second plate 34 acts as a horizontal shelf of the container10, while in the second position the first plate 32 acts as a supportfor the top 20 or the permanent shelf 24 against which the first plate32 is placed when in the second position. Advantageously the first plate32 abuts the top 20 or permanent shelf 24 when in the second position.

The first position provides a sub-compartment between the permanentshelves 24 or between the top 20 and the permanent shelf 24. The secondposition provides an elongated compartment and additional support forthe top or the permanent shelf 24. If the permanent shelves 24 arespaced a distance 2W from the top 20, then the repositionable shelves 30may provide shelves in the middle of the space between the permanentshelves 24 when the plates 32, 34 are in the first position so that allcompartments are of equal size, having square openings. In this samearrangement the repositionable shelves 30 provide elongated compartmentsbetween those shelves 24 when the plates 32, 34 are in the secondposition. If the permanent shelves 24 are spaced further than 2W apartthe repositionable shelves 30 will still provide sub compartments with asquare opening, but when the plates 32, 34 are in the first position thecompartment 12 between permanent shelves 24 will have one square and onerectangular opening. Advantageously, the stiff plates 32, 34 arefastened in their respective pouches 38 so they are resiliently urgedagainst each other, causing them to be resiliently urged toward thefirst and second positions. When the juncture 36 between plates 32, 34is moved from the first to the second positions, it causes the sides 14,16 of the housing to bulge outward since the length of the dimension ofthe two plates 32, 36 is longer than the diagonal formed between firstand second edges 40, 42, respectively. If the plates 32, 34 are slightlybowed within their respective pouches 38, that further helps resilientlyurge the plates and repositionable shelves 30 into the first and secondand resists moving the plates from those positions.

For ease of manufacture, the first edges 40 are preferably fastened tothe first side 14 and the second edges 42 are fastened to the secondside 16. Because the first repositionable shelf 30 has the first edge 40of the first plate 32 is fastened to the top 20, each successive firstedge is fastened a distance H from the top 20 determined by the formulaH=Y×W, where Y is selected from the series of even numbers beginning atzero, namely 0, 2, 4, etc. and W is the width of the space between sidepanels 14, 16. The second plate 34 is fastened to the second panel 16 atdistances H determined by the formula H=Z×W, where Z is selected fromthe series of odd numbers beginning at 1, namely 1, 3, 5 etc., and W isthe width of the space between side panels. These formulas result insquare openings in the suspended housing 10 when the permanent shelves24 are sewn between the first and second panels 14, 16 at distances Hdetermined by the formula H=Y×W, where H and Y are as described above.Thus, the first edge 40 of first plate 32 is fastened to the first sidepanel 14 at the same location as the top 20 or permanent side panel isfastened, and the second edge 42 of the second plate 34 is fastened tothe second side panel 16 equidistant from the two adjacent permanentshelves 24 or equidistant from the top 20 and first adjacent shelf 24.The repositionable shelves 30 may be fastened to either side panel 12,14 in the above connections.

Referring to FIG. 8, if the permanent dividers 24 are spaced more thantwice the width W apart along the length of the side panels 14, 16, thena repositionable shelf 30 will not produce equally sized subcompartments. It is possible to use the first plate 32 in the secondposition to act as a shelf, but it will be a weak shelf since ifsufficient weight is placed on the shelf formed by first part 32, it maybend enough to pull the juncture 36 away from the side 16 and result inthe shelf moving from the second to the first position. A releasablefastener, such as snaps, toggles or preferably hook and loop fastenersmay be fastened along mating surfaces of the housing 10 to releasablyrestrain the plates 32, 34 in the second position. Thus, a strip of hookand loop fasteners 46 a, along either or both sides of the juncture 36may engage the mating loop or hook fastener 46 b on the inside of thejuncture of the permanent shelf 24 (or top 20) with the side panel 16.Preferably the releasable fasteners 46 are located on the inner face offirst plate 32 extending alongside 14 in the first position, sinceobjects placed in the resulting compartment do not directly rest on thatplate. The corresponding part of the fastener is located on the bottomof the top 20 or bottom of the permanent shelf 24. It is believedpreferable to have the fastener 46 along the diagonally opposed cornersinto which the juncture 36 nests during use.

By using various arrangements of permanent shelves 24 and repositionableshelves 30, various arrangements and configurations of compartments maybe provided. The permanent shelves 24 and the shelves formed byrepositionable shelves 30 in the first position are generally horizontaland parallel. If desired, the shelves could be slightly inclined tocause items in the compartments formed by the shelves to be urged bygravity to one side or the other, or toward the back, or toward thefront. Inclined angles of about 10-15 degrees or less are believedsuitable, with inclinations of about 5 degrees or less preferred. Thereference to generally horizontal shelves includes such inclinedshelves. The openings to the compartments 12 are show as open and havingno blockage. But the openings to the compartments 12 (and subcompartments) could be partially blocked by low walled barriers 48 (FIG.9) to keep contents from sliding out of the compartments, or the entirecompartment could be covered with an access slit provided. Typically,the width W is about 4-6 inches, but the size can vary according to theitems to be placed on the shelves.

The shelves 24 may be made of flexible materials if desired, and if sothey are usually made of the same flexible material as used to make thepanels 14, 16, 18. The shelves 24 may be made of stiff material, such asplastic, paperboard, fiberboard, thin metal sheets or other stiffmaterials. If made of stiff materials the shelves are preferablyenclosed in pouches 38 as used for the plates 32, 34, and even used forthe top 20 with the pouches configured to permanently engage the sidewalls 14, 16. Plastic sheets about 1/16-⅛ inch thick are believedsuitable for the plates 32, 34 and shelves 24. The number ofcompartments 12 may vary as desired. Four and eight long compartments 12with a length of 2W are believed advantageous.

For shipment, the plates 32, 34, shelves 24 and top 20 are stacked asthe flexible sided walls 14, 16 collapse. The walls 14, 16 can carrytension loads, but not compression. Thus, a compact shippingconfiguration is provided. In use, the container 10 is suspended withthe weight of the shelves 24 straightening out the flexible walls 14,16. Depending on the items to be stored on shelves 24, the number andshape of compartments 12 are varied by repositioning one or more therepositionable shelves 30. As desired, the plates 32, 34 may be foldedflat against each other (FIG. 11) and against the intervening sidepanels 14, 16 and shelves 24 to form a stack of plates and shelves forstorage or shipment.

As used herein, rectangular includes a square unless otherwise noted,because a square is a rectangle with four equal sides. As used herein, awidth of “about W” includes a variation of up to 10% of the width W. Itshould be apparent that the juncture between the plates 32, 34 rotatesor pivots between the first and second positions Likewise, theconnection between the first plate and the first sidewall rotates orpivots between the first and second positions and the connection betweenthe second plate and the second sidewall rotates or pivots between thefirst and second positions.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or invarying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limitedto the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is notto be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by thefollowing claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preservethe validity of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging collapsible container having aconnector to hang the container from a support, comprising: acollapsible housing having first and second opposing side panels joinedby back panel to form an enclosure having a rectangular cross-section,the panels being made of a flexible material and suspended from a stifftop panel, the first and second panels being spaced apart a distance ofabout W; at least one permanent shelf extending generally horizontallybetween the first and second panels, the at least one permanent shelfhaving a width of about W; a first repositionable shelf having first andsecond rectangular plates joined at a flexible plate juncture that isparallel to a first edge of the first plate and parallel to a secondedge of the second plate, each plate having a width of about W, thefirst edge engaging the first panel and the second edge engaging thesecond panel a distance below the first edge a distance sufficient sothe first repositionable shelf has a first position in which the firstplate extends alongside the first panel and the second plate extendsgenerally horizontally, and has a second position with the first plategenerally horizontal and the second plate extending alongside the secondpanel, the repositionable shelf not being permanently fastened to theback panel.
 2. The hanging collapsible container of claim 1, wherein thefirst edge engages the first panel at a location where the first paneljoins the top panel, and wherein the second edge engages the secondpanel at a distance of about W from the top panel.
 3. The hangingcollapsible container of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality ofpermanent shelves each spaced a distance of about 2W from the top or theadjacent permanent shelf, with the first repositionable shelf having itsfirst edge engaging the first panel at a location where the first paneljoins the top panel, and wherein the second edge engages the secondpanel at a distance of about W from the top panel.
 4. The hangingcollapsible container of claim 3, further comprising a secondrepositionable shelf having second and third rectangular plates joinedat a second flexible plate juncture that is parallel to a first edge ofthe second plate and parallel to a second edge of the third plate, eachsecond and third plate having a width of about W, the second edge of thethird plate engaging the first panel and the second edge of the fourthplate engaging the second panel a distance below the first edge adistance sufficient so the second repositionable shelf has a firstposition in which the second plate extends alongside the first panel andthe third plate extends generally horizontally, and has a secondposition with the second plate generally horizontal and the third plateextending alongside the second panel.
 5. The hanging collapsiblecontainer of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of repositionableshelves each having a first edge fastened to the first panel a distanceapart of about 2W, and wherein each repositionable shelf has a secondedge fastened to the second panel a distance apart of about 2W, butoffset below the first edge a distance of about W.
 6. The hangingcollapsible container of claim 5, wherein there are four repositionableshelves and the width is between 4-6 inches.
 7. A hanging collapsiblecontainer, comprising: a stiff rectangular top adapted to connect to acloset bar, the top having two sides, a front and a back; a flexiblehousing body having first and second side panel each connected to anddepending from a different one of the sides of the top and a back panelconnected to the back of the top, the panels joined to form anenclosure; a plurality of shelves generally parallel to the top andengaging the first and second side panels, the shelves having a width Wand at least two of the shelves being spaced a distance of about 2Wapart; a repositionable rectangular shelf located between first andsecond adjacent shelves, the repositionable shelf having first andsecond plates joined at a juncture, each plate having a width W, thefirst plate having a first edge parallel to the juncture and engagedwith the first panel where the first shelf engages the first panel, thesecond plate having a second edge parallel to the juncture and engagedwith the second panel a distance of about W from a location where thefirst shelf engages the second side panel, the first and second platesmovable between a first and second position, the first position havingthe first plate extending along the first side panel and the secondplate parallel to the first shelf, the second position having the firstplate aligned with the first shelf and the second plate extending alongthe second side panel.
 8. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7,wherein the shelves connected to the side panels have a stiffening platein them.
 9. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, furthercomprising a second repositionable rectangular shelf having second andthird plates joined at a juncture, the second and third plates having awidth W, the second plate having a first edge parallel to the junctureand engaged with the first panel, the fourth plate having a second edgeparallel to the juncture and engaged with the second panel a distance ofabout W below a horizontal plane through the first edge of the thirdplate, the third and fourth plates movable between a first and secondposition, the first position having the third plate extending along thefirst side panel and the fourth plate parallel to the first shelf, thesecond position having the third plate parallel with the first shelf andthe fourth plate extending along the second side panel.
 10. The hangingcollapsible container of claim 7, further comprising a hook or loopfastener engaging the first plate along a length of its juncture and amating loop or hook fastener connected to a lower side of the firstshelf.
 11. The hanging collapsible container of claim 7, furthercomprising a hook or loop fastener engaging the second plate along alength of its juncture and a mating loop or hook fastener connected tothe second side panel adjacent the connection of the first shelf and thesecond side panel.
 12. The hanging collapsible container of claim 9,further comprising a first hook or loop fastener engaging the fourthplate along a length of its juncture and a mating loop or hook fastenerconnected to the second side panel along a location selected to engagethe first hook or loop fastener when the fourth plate abuts the secondside panel.